Sean Belk Staff Writer The exodus of two big-box retailers– including Ralphs, which shuttered last month, and Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH), which is expected to close by August– was a major blow to the close-knit community of Bixby Knolls. But now, it appears small businesses are taking the lead and are looking to plant roots…

Second District Long Beach Councilmember Suja Lowenthal announced July 23 that she has entered the race for mayor of Long Beach. “Long Beach is my home. She is home to my family. I am deeply committed to the future of our great city,” Lowenthal said in her press release announcing her candidacy. “Therefore, after serious…

Sean Belk Staff Writer They’re often found on Craigslist, online message boards or even Facebook– listings that promise big job opportunities, positions or long-term careers but turn out to be merely rip-offs. After being turned down by employers amid a brutal hiring climate, struggling job seekers at their wit’s end often agree to pay for…

Sean Belk Staff Writer The Signal Hill City Council voted unanimously last week to stay with the “status quo” and allow future city councilmembers and elected city officials to reap medical coverage and retiree health benefits. The motion passed during the Council meeting on July 16, after city staff proposed an ordinance last year to…

Sean Belk Staff Writer An incident in which a coyote attacked a 2-year-old girl at a Cypress cemetery last week has incited fears in some local residents that the coyote population in Southern California has become a growing problem. “They’ve let this go too long, and this is why [coyotes are] attacking human beings now,”…

by Neena Strichart I find it hard to believe that my 40th high-school reunion is just weeks away. Attending Long Beach’s Woodrow Wilson High School in the ‘70s was quite an experience. That was where many of us made our long-term decisions on careers, love interests, music preferences and life-long friends. We attended school during…

Sean Belk Staff Writer Lillian Kawasaki, a director for the Water Replenishment District (WRD) of Southern California for the past six years and a longtime Los Angeles city official who was instrumental in air- and water- quality initiatives, passed away July 18. She was 62. Kawasaki, the first Asian-American woman to be appointed as general…

Sean Belk Staff Writer Phil Trani’s restaurant, a place frequented by socialites and sports superstars for years, will be featured on an episode of the reality TV show Food Network Star that will air this Sunday, July 28, at 6pm. The Bixby Knolls restaurant, located at 3490 Long Beach Blvd., will set the stage for…

Cory Bilicko Managing Editor Though both Japan and Thailand are Asian countries, they’re separated by more than 2,000 miles of the China Sea and parts of China itself. Restaurants that present the fare of both cultures may not seem like intuitively obvious options, but they’re popping up across our country anyhow– from Miami, Florida to…

Shoshanah Siegel Columnist In my last article, I wrote about how I love yard sales, flea markets, antique and thrift stores. I’m always looking for items that are great in value and less in cost. Also, I tell myself that this is a way I can do my part, for conservation and protecting Mother Earth.…

The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) issued a press release Tuesday with information pertaining to an officer-involved shooting. According to the release, on Monday, July 22 at approximately 6pm, LBPD officers responded to the 800 block of Washington Place regarding a “man with a gun” call, which resulted in the shooting. The LBPD released the…

The Signal Hill Police Department (SHPD) is seeking the public’s help to reduce the incidence of police responses to false security-alarm system calls for service. “The Signal Hill Police Department responded to over 1,200 false security-alarm calls for service during the past two years,” said SHPD Chief Michael Langston. “For a city the size of…

FAIR THEE WELL What Community health fair Who New Hope Baptist Church Where 1160 New York St. When Saturday, July 27 from 10am to 2pm More Info The fair will include free health screenings and referrals, as well as vaccinations, CPR demonstrations and other health-related activities. Participants include the American Red Cross, California Aquatic Therapy and…

Picture This Gallery, 4130 Norse Way, is currently hosting an exhibit entitled In God We Tru$t, in which local artists have been invited to express their political views. One of the pieces, called “War Criminals,” is a digital image created by Preston Craig that depicts seven key members of the Bush administration blatantly labeled as…